Any event or condition that damages the arteries that feed the head of the femur raises the risk of aseptic necrosis. The most common events are fractures in the upper femur and dislocations of the hip, especially developmental dysplasia of the hip. Other causes reduce the blood supply by closing off or compressing the blood vessels.

There is a specific type of aseptic necrosis of the hip called
Legg-Calvé-Perthes
disease that affects the growth plate at the upper end of the femur in children. It most commonly affects boys aged 5-10 years old.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of developing aseptic necrosis of the hip include:

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Conservative Treatment

Taking nonsteroidal and other pain relievers and performing non-weight-bearing exercises may prevent or minimize disease progression.

Medications

The following medications may be prescribed to help prevent or treat aseptic necrosis of the hip:

Bisphosphonates to prevent the loss of bone mass

Iloprost to relax blood vessels

Enoxaparin to prevent blood clots

Surgery

There are several surgical procedures used to treat aseptic necrosis of the hip. The choice depends on the extent of disease and the age and health status of the patient. Bone grafts, decompression of the inside of the bone, realignment of the bone, femoral head resurfacing, and prosthetic hip replacement are all available.

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting aseptic necrosis of the hip, take the following steps:

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.